Team India’s 1st Jammu & Kashmir player, Parvez Rasool announces retirement

Even though Parvez Rasool was a consistent performer in domestic circuit, he couldn't get regular spot in the Indian team.

Remember Parvez Rasool, the first J&K cricketer to represent Team India? Well, the domestic veteran all-rounder has announced his retirement from all formats of the game, after being overlooked from the J&K team for the last two years. As per the Times of India, after moving on from the game, his focus is on coaching, and has even completed level 2 certification course from the CoE.

Parvez Rasool bids adieu to cricket

Parvez Rasool played for India in 2014 and 2017, but was not given many chances despite consistent performances in the domestic circuit. In 95 matches he went on to claim 352 wickets, while with the bat he scored 5648 runs at an average of 38.95. “Yes, I’ve retired from cricket. Obviously, playing for India was the proudest moment of my life.

“Coming from J&K, which wasn’t known much for cricket, I went on to win the Lala Amarnath Trophy for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy on two occasions (in 2013-14 and 2017-18), and became the first from my region to play for India and in the IPL. I feel nice to have contributed to the game,” Rasool told TOI.

Coaching on the cards now

Rasool expressed a lot of satisfaction with the way the game has progressed in the state, and twice went on to reach the quarters under his captaincy as well. They are no more the minnows, with last year coming as a landmark year for them, where they reached the semis.

But what he regrets is, he could not play for India in the Test match format. That despite picking 7/45 against Australia, for the Board President’s XI. “Definitely, that regret is there. I played two white-ball matches for India, but I wanted to play Test cricket, especially after I took seven for 45 for Board President’s XI against Australia (in Chennai, February 2013).

“However, this is destiny. You try hard to do well. Thanks to the Almighty, I have a tremendous record for J&K with bat and ball. I’ve scored 10,470 runs and taken more than 623 wickets across all formats in my career. As I said, I’m now looking forward to my new role in coaching,” Rasool concluded.